A recent trip to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical gardens offered students, staff, and faculty from the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences (DEPHS) a chance to step outside Kettering and see their studies in a real-world setting. This immersive learning experience is connected to core concepts in environmental health, occupational safety and health, and infectious disease.

DEPHS students, staff, and faculty gathered for group photo.

Zoo habitats are thoughtfully constructed that play a crucial role in keeping animals healthy, reducing stress, and supporting their natural behaviors. These same concepts apply to human environments where factors like air quality, temperature, and infrastructure influence health and well-being.

The spotted wild dog zoo habitat shows similar environmental factors to their natural habitat- such as open plains, sparse woodlands, and nearby water sources.

One area of discussion was centered around reptiles, particularly snakes, and their role in infectious diseases. Snakes, like many reptiles, can carry pathogens such as salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact. This sparked conversation with the zookeeper about illnesses that spread between animals and people, a key topic in public health.

Staff and students gather to touch the Brazilian Rainbow Snake.

This visit also touched on occupational health considerations. Zookeepers and veterinary staff face risks such as exposure to animal-borne diseases, physical hazards, and environmental stressors. Seeing these firsthand helped students connect research to real-world applications in worker safety and risk mitigation.

Ultimately, the zoo trip reminded everyone that public health is everywhere and experiences like this help bridge the gap between theory and practice, preparing students to think critically about the environment around them.